Z(M^ 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 

Gift  of 
Mrs.  J.  S.  Busoh 


r 


The  Cotter's  Saturday  Night,  by  Robert  Burns,  with 
beautiful  head  pieces  and  title  etched  by  W.  H  W.  Bick- 
nell.  ^ 

4to,  full  red  morocco,  gilt,  in  drop  case.  Boston.  1915 

One  of  ^7j-  copies  on  fapan  vellum. 


THE  COTTER'S  SATURDAY  NIGHT 

The  text  and  illustrations  of  this  work  are  printed 
from  original  copperplate  engravings,  designed  and 
engraved  by  Mr.  Arthur  N.  Macdonald  for  The 
Bibliophile  Society.  Mr.  Macdonald's  illustrations 
are  indeed  noteworthy  examples  of  the  engraver's 
art;  they  seem  to  breathe  the  very  atmosphere  of 
the  life  so  graphically  depicted  by  Burns  in  this  now 
world-renowned  poem,  and  many  settings  necessarily 
omitted  by  the  author  are  happily  supplied  by  the 
artist;  thus  bringing  the  reader  into  closer  harmony 
with  the  spirit  and  scenes  of  life  portrayed  in  the 
text.  The  drawings  are  remarkable  for  their  deep 
perspective  and  minute  detail;  and  in  order  fully  to 
appreciate  their  quality  one  should  examine  them 
under  a  magnifying  glass.  For  instance,  in  the 
center  picture  over  stanza  III  only  a  close  examina- 
tion will  disclose  the  two  "expectant  wee-things 
toddlin'  "  out  to  meet  their  sire,  while  an  all  but  in- 
visible figure  —  perhaps  the  "thrifty  wifie"  —  stands 
in  the  doorway  of  the  cottage  in  the  background. 
Again,  while  at  a  casual  glance  the  white  horse  ap- 
pears to  be  about  the  only  object  in  the  right  hand 
picture  in  the  heading  over  stanza  VII,  a  closer  in- 
spection will  reveal  an  extensive  landscape  with  an 
old-fashioned  rail-fence,  and  a  clearly  defined  cot- 
tage on  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  the  distance.  If  it 
be  possible  to  single  out  any  one  piece  as  being  su- 
perior to  any  other,  the  two  end  pictures  in  the 
heading  over  stanza  XIII  are  worthy  of  special  re- 
mark ;  particularly  the  miniature  on  the  right,  looking 
down  between  the  trees  upon  the  lake,  backed  by  a 
mountain  range  and  the  distant  horizon.  And  the 
exquisite  settings  in  the  landscape  pictures  over 
stanza  XVI  distinguish  this  heading  as  a  work  of 
art,  perhaps  never  excelled  in  copperplate  engraving. 
In  the  night  scene  in  the  right  hand  picture  over 


stanza  XVIII,  the  outline  of  the  full  moon  is  seen 
peering  through  an  opening  in  the  clouds,  casting 
a  shimmer  of  light  over  the  landscape,  and  illuminat- 
ing the  waters  of  a  lake  —  almost  totally  obscured 
behind  the  foliage  in  the  distance  at  the  left  of  the 
dimly  lighted  cottage,  in  front  of  which  appears  the 
faint  outline  of  an  old  stone  wall,  tumbled  down 
where  the  path  crosses,  leading  to  the  cottage. 

It  has  been  deemed  worth  while  to  point  out  a 
few  of  these  special  features,  most  of  which  would 
escape  the  naked  eye  in  a  hurried  observation. 

Mr.  Macdonald  has  labored  intermittently  on 
this  work  for  nearly  three  years,  and  the  extent  of 
the  labor  involved  can  scarcely  be  conceived.  Some 
of  the  pictures  were  re-drawn  and  re-engraved  three 
or  four  times  before  they  finally  met  the  artist's 
exacting  demands.  The  engraving  of  the  text 
alone  was  a  most  trying  undertaking,  the  extent  of 
which  will  be  better  appreciated  when  it  is  known 
that  the  hand  of  the  artist  engraved,  one  by  one, 
almost  seven  thousand  letters. 

In  the  order  given  to  Mr.  Macdonald  to  prepare 
this  work  he  was  not  restricted  as  to  time  or  cost. 
He  was  instructed  to  engrave  and  illustrate  the  text 
in  a  manner  representing  the  utmost  limit  of  his 
ability;  to  produce  a  work  bearing  the  impress  of 
his  own  individuality  and  artistic  sense,  and  to  him 
alone  the  credit  is  due  for  the  felicitous  results 
herein  shown. 

The  engraved  title  page  —  depicting  the  Burns 
cottage  at  the  top  —  is  also  the  work  of  Mr.  Mac- 
donald. 


^ 


Liscribcd  1o  B^bi  Aikcn.Escj ,     WV'nV^ 

Let  not  Ambition  mock  their  useful  toil 
Their  homely  Joys,  and  destiny  obscure; 
Nor  Grandeur  hear,  with  a  disdainful  srnile,  / 
Toe   short    and  simple  annals  oj^  ihejyqor^. 


\Lii:i 


jyiy  lovd,  mv  lionor'cI,niucK  respected  friend! 
No  mercenary  Bard  his  homage  pays; 
With  Koncst  pride.I  scorn  each  selfish  end, 

M^  dearest  meed. a  friend's  esteem  and  praise.- 
io  you  I  sing, in  simple  Scottishiscjs, 

1  he  lowly  train  in  life's   sequester 'd  scene; 
TKe  native  fcelinOs  strong, the  guileless  ways, 

What  A"  "  in  a  Cottage  would  have  teen; 
Ah!  tho'  his  worth  unknown,  far  happier  there,!  ween! 

n 

xNovember  chill  blaws  loud  wi'  angry  sugK; 

1  Ke  shorthing  winler-day  is  near  a  close ; 
1  he  miry  beasts  retreating  frae  the  pleugK; 

The  blackViing  trains  o' craws  to  their  repose: 
The  toil-worn  Cotter  frae  his  labor  goes. 

This  night  his  weekly  moil  is  at  an  end, 
Collects  his  spades,  his  mattocks, and  his  hoes. 

Hoping  the  morn  in  ease  and  rest  to  spend 
AnaAveary,  oer  the  moor,  his  course  does 
hameward  bend. 


^ifVt  lengtli  nis  lonely  Cot.  appears  in  view; 

Jjeneatn  tne  shelter  oi   an  agedtree; 
Tn  expectant  wee-tnings,  todalin,  stacner  through 

lo  meet  their  Daawi'ltichterin  noise  aiid  plee 
His  wee -bit  ingle,  olinKin   nonilie, 

ilis  clean  nearth-stane    nis  thrifty  wifie's  smile. 
The  lisping  infant, prattling  on  his  knee, 

Does  a' his  weary  kiaugh  ana  eare  beguile. 
Ana  makes  himauite  forget  his  labor  and  bis  toil. 

ijelyve.the  elder  bairns  come  drapping  in, 
At  service  out,  am  a  ng  tbe  iarmers  roun*; 

Some  ca'tbc  plough,  some  lierd.some  tcntie  rin 
A  cannie  errand  to  a  neebor  town: 

their  eldest  hope, their  Jenny, won\an-grown, 
In  you  tlitu' bloom.  Love  sparkling  inker  ee- 

Oomos  bame  perhaps  to  shew  a  br aw  new  0own, 
Or  deposite  Ker  sair-Mron  penny-fee , 

To  kelp  b^l'  Parents  dear,  IF  they  in  kardskip  he. 


Byi!  ancl  ^1 


And  eacK  For  others  wcclfare  kindly  spiers: 
1  ne  social  no ur s  ,swill-wing a, unnoticd  fleet; 

Hiacn  tells  the   uncos  that  he   sees  or  hears. 
1  he  parents  , partial, eye  their  hopelul  jyrears  ; 

^Anticipation  iorward  points  the  vie>v; 
1  ne  Mother, wi'  her  needle   and  her  sheers. 

Gars   auld  claes  look  amaist  as  w^eers  the  ne^v; 
1  he  father  mixes  a' wr' admonition  due . 

Ml. 

[  heir  Master  s  and  their  Mistre5s's  com  and  ; 

ihe  voungkers  a' are  warned  to  ot)ev  ,- 
And  mind  their  lahors  wi'an  evdent  hand  , 

And  ne'er,  tho'  out  d  sight, to j  auk  or  play  •' 
And  0-  be  sure  to  fear  the  Lord  alvvay  1 

And  mind  your  dutv,  cluely,morn  and  night  ! 
Lest  in  temptation's  path  ye  gang  astray, 
Implore  His  counsel  and  assisting  might  : 
Iney  never  sought  in  vain  that  sought  the  Lord  aright 


Inc^uirei 


Makej 


Jjut  nark 'a  rap  comes  genti)^  to  the  door; 
JerLn.y,wna  kens  the  meaning  o'tne  same, 
lellsKow  a  neebor  laa  cam   o'er  tneinoor, 

io  do  some  errands,  and  convovtior  name. 
1  ne  wilv  Mother  sees  the  conscious  llame 

ijparkle  \r^  Jenny's  e'e,  and  flush  ner  cheek, 
Vvith  he  art- struc  k  ,  anxious  eare,  enoruires  his  name, 

While  Jerury  hattlins'  is  alraid  to  ^peak 
Weet  pleas'cL  the  Motrter  near s, it's  nae  wild, 
worthte^s  i\ake. 

¥in. 

With  kindly  welcome  ,  Jonrtv"  brinds  him  oen'; 

A  strappan.    youtn^ne  takes  Tne  mother's  eye; 
Dlylhe   Jenny  sees  tne  ^^isit's  no  ill  taen; 

J.  he  rather  cracks  oi  norses,pleughs,  and  kye  . 
Tne  youngster's     artless  heart   o'erilows  wi'yoy. 

But  hlate* an' laithFu',  scarce  canwreel  Lenave- 
i  ne  Mother,  wii'  a  \Arom^an'  s  write  s ,  c  an  spy- 

VVnat   malces  the  Youth  sae  hashiu  and  sae  grave; 
Weel  pleas'd  to  think  her  hairnc  respected, 
like  the  lave' 


1  Hair.        2  in 


IX. 

Jkappy  love!  wKere  love  like  tliis  is  found  ! 
1  0  heai'l-felt  raptures!  tliss  Leyond  compare! 
IVe  paced  niucK  tliis  weary,  mort/il  round. 

And  sage  experience  bids  me  tliis  declare  — 
If  Heaven  adrauglit  of  heavenly  pleasure  spare, 

One  cordial  in  this  melancKoly  Vale, 
Tis  when  a  youthful,  loving,  modest  Riir , 

In  othei'^s  arms,l)reathe  out  the  tender  tale. 
Beneath  the  milk-wliite  thorn  that  scents  the  evening  gale!' 

X. 

Is  there,  in  hiuaan  form,  tliat  Leaps  a  Keart— 

AW^etck!  aA^llain!  lost  to  love  and  trutk! 
That  ccin,witk  studied,  sly,  ensntiring  art, 

Betray  sw^eet  Jennv's  unsuspecting  youtk? 
Curse  onkis  perjur'd  arts!  dissembling  smootK! 

Are  Honor,\^rtue ,  Conscience,  all  exiled? 
Is  tkere  no  Pity,  no  relentmd  Rutk, 

Points  to  the  Parents  fond'ling  o'er  tkeir  Child? 
Hien  paints  the  ruind  Mmd,and  their  distraction  wild  ! 

XI. 

But  JYOW  tke  Supper  cpoAvns  tkeir  simple  board, 

Tke  kealsome  Parritck,  ckief  of  Scotia's  food; 
Tke  soupe  tlieir   only  Hawkie  does  afford, 

Iliat  yont  tke  hallan  snugly  ckows  ker  cood: 
Tke  Bame  brings  fortk,in  complimental  mood, 

To  grace  the  lad,  ker  weel-kain'd  kebbuck,rell. 
And  aft  ke's  prest  and  aft  ke  ea's  it  guid; 

Tke  frugal  ^^fie,  garrulous, "vriU  tell. 
How  twas  atoAx^mond  auld  jin'Lint  >vas'i  the  bell. 


Oatmeal  puddmg .  Cow.  Cheese.  TwelvpTQonth 


XII. 

TKe  cKeerlii  supper  done, wi' serious  lace, 

1  iiey^,  roimd  tne  ingle,  lorm  ec  circle  "wicie 
Ine    Sire  turns  o'erjwitn  patriarcnal  grace, 

ine  Dig  na-Jjible,  ance  Kis  ratner's  pride: 
His  nonnet  rev'rentrv  is  laid  aside, 

nis  lyart  jialletsWearing  inin  and  bare; 
iaose  strains  inat  once  did  sweet  in  Zaiotx  dlide, 
Me  wales   a  portion  witK  judicious  care; 
jf^Jid  let  us  "worsnip  (jod!  Ke  sav-s,'w-itk  solemn  air. 


miUiW.>iiiii»niunini 


QJ|,cjpjnriijiiiiiy[>iiiyAiiiiiii>)ii)M»ai 


xm. 

i  he^  cnant  tneir  artless  notes  in  simple  guise; 

1  nev  tunc  tneir  nearts,  Lv  far  tne  nomest  aim: 
Jrernaps  Dundee's  wild-warbling  measures  rise. 

Or  plaintive  Martyrs,  wo rtiv^  of  tne  name; 
\Jv  noble  Tjlgin  beets  tbe  neaven-ward  llamc, 

Ine  sweetest  lar  ol  Scotia's  noly  la)'s: 
Compar'd  w^itn  tnese.  Italian  trills  are  tame; 

IKe  tickld  ears  no  neart-relt  raptures  raise: 
JNae  unison  bae  tne^,witk  our  Creator's  praise. 


1il!lllllllll!illlllllllB[lliBBilllll[IM[tllinffillliffillllllJllinLlliliJIliI 


tJWR«asr*&:^V''^^r.^^ 


»Wai«J!WW«e«*W«R^^ 


ii 


xiy. 


TKe  priest-like  father  reads  tKe  saered  page, 

IIo>r  AbraniAv^as  the  Friend  oF  God  on  KigK; 
Or,  Moses  Lade  eternal  w^arfare  ^wape 

WitK  Amalek's  ungracious  pro^en^; 
Or,  Kow^  tKe  royal  Bard  did  dr caning  lye, 

Jjeneatli  the  stroke  of  Heaven's   avendintf  ire ; 
Or  JoL's  pathetic  plaint,  and  w^aiUng  cry: 

Or  rapt  Isaiahs  wild,  seraphic  fire 
Or  other  Holy  Seers   that  tune  the   sacred  lyre. 

jsr. 


Perhaps  the  Christian  \^lume  is  the  tKeme  , 

How  guiltless  hlood  lor   guilty  man  >\^as  shed; 
How  He,  who  Lore  in  neaven  the  second  name, 

Had  not  on  Earth  w^hereon  to  lay  His  nead: 
How  His  iirst  loUowers  and  servants  sped; 

The  Precepts  sage  tney  ^wrote  to  many  a  land: 
How^  ne,  w^ho  lone  m  FatnLOS  ham  she  a  , 

Saw  in  the   sun  a  mighty  anj^el  stand; 
j\nd  heard  great  Bahlon's  doom  pronounced  hy  Heaven's 
command  . 


xvr. 


'^rken  Inieelin^  down  to  Heaven's  Eternal  Kin^, 

Tlie  Saint  the  FatKer ,  and  iKe  Husband  prays : 
Hope 'springs  exulting  on  trmmphant  ^ng*' 

That  thus  tkev  all  shall  meet  in  future  davs  : 
TKere,  ever  bask  in  uncreated  rays. 

No  more  to  si^K,or  sbed  the  hitter  tear 
Together  hymning  iheir  Creator's  praise, 

In  such  society,  yet  still  more  dear; 
While  circling  Time  moves  round  in  an  eternal  sphere. 

Compared  with  this,  how  poor  Rehgion's  pride. 

In  all  the  pomp  of  method,  and  of  art, 
vVhen  men  display  to  conprepations  wide 

Devotion's  ev'ry  grace,  except  the  heart'. 
The  Power,  incens'd, the  Pageant  will  desert, 

The  pompous  strain,  the  facerdotal  stole, 
But  haply, in  some  Cottage  far  apart, 

May  hear  well  pleas'd  the  language  of  the  Soul; 
And  in  His  Booh  of  Life  the  Inmates  poor  enroll. 


Pope's     Windsor  roi?3S.t  *' 


xvni 


T'Ken  Komeward  all  take  off  their  sev'ral  way; 

The  younphn^   Cottagers  retire  to  rest: 
The  Parent-pair  their  secret  homage  pay. 

And  proffer  up  to  Heaven  the  warm  request, 
That  lie  who  stills   the  raven's  elam'rous  nest, 

And  decks  the  lily  fair  in  flow'ry  pride, 
Vvouldiin  the  way  His  msdom  sees  the  Lest, 

For  them  and  for  their  little  ones  provide; 
But  chiefly,  in  theu*  hearts  with  Grace  divuie  preside 

XIX. 

From  scenes  like  these. old  Scotia's  grandeur  springs, 

That  makes  her  lovd  at  home,  rever'd  abroad. 
R*inees  and  lords  are  hut  the  breath  of  kings, 

An  honest  man's  the  nohle  work  of  God' 
And  eerie s,  m  fair  Virtue'^s  heavenly  road. 

The  Cottage  leaves  the  Palace  far  hehind: 
Wkat  IS  a  lordlin^s  pornp^  a  cumhrous  load  , 

Disguising  oft  the  wretch  of  human  kind  , 
Studied  in  arts  of  Hell,  m  wickedness  refin'd! 


XX. 

O  S cotiaimv dear, Tnv native  soil! 

Tor  wnoni  nrrwarraest  w^isK  to  Heaven  is  sent! 
Lon^  Y[is^  trrr  nardy  sons  of  rustic  toil 

BeLlest  witn  liealtn.  and  peace,  and  sweet  content! 
And,U  !  may  Heaven  tneir  simple  lives  prevent 
Irom  Luxury's  c  onta^ion.^veak  and  vile ! 
inen,KoA\^e  er  crowns  and  coronets  be  rent, 

A  virtuous  lopulace  may  rise  the  wnile, 
And  stand  a  wall  oi  lire  around  tneir  mucn  lov  a  Isle 


xa. 

(J  thou !  who  pour'd  Ihe  patriotic  tide , 

1  hat  streamed  thro'  great  unhappy  Wallac  e'  heart; 
Who  aar'd  to,nohly, stem  tyrannic  pride, 

vJr  nobly  die,  the  second  diorious  part; 
llheiatriois    God,  peculiarlv thou  art, 

liis  Iriena,  inspirer,  guardian,  and  reward! ) 
O  never,  never  Scotia's  realm  desert, 

XJul  sUll  the  Patriot,  and  the  lalriot-Jjard, 
hi  bright  succession  raise,  her  Ornament  and  (juard! 


1915- 


